The contributions of inscriptions in Ninh Binh to complement and correct information in official histories and Dang khoa luc (Record of metropolitan examination graduates under the current dynasty)

Abstract

Ninh Binh province stretching from the northern delta to the north of central Vietnam, holds a strategic position that controls the north-south corridor of Vietnam. Because its natural terrain possesses massive limestone mountains, it was chosen by many imperial dynasties for strategic reasons: “to advance, it can allow launching attaches, to retreat, it can allow maintaining defence”. What is more, Ninh Binh is the only place that possesses inscriptions of nearly a thousand years (973-1947), reflecting all critical periods of the historical development of the country. The quantity of inscriptions is not voluminous; however, rich in contents and diverse in forms. This article introduces stone inscriptions in Ninh Binh as historical sources concerning historical figures and metropolitan examination graduates in order to complement and correct information in official histories and Dang khoa luc (Record of metropolitan examination graduates under the current dynasty).